Best United Airlines credit cards of December 2023

If you’re a casual United flyer and want to earn valuable cost-saving perks like a complimentary checked bag (worth $35 on domestic flights) and two one-time United Club passes (worth $59 per entry), you’ll easily get your money’s worth from this card’s $95 annual fee, $0 intro annual fee for the first year.

“The United Explorer Card offers an array of perks that will enhance your travel experiences on United, even if you only fly with United occasionally. With benefits like a TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee credit, two annual United Club one-time passes and a complimentary checked bag, this card is packed with valuable perks that help you get your money’s worth year after year.” —  Kyle Olsen, points and miles reporter

If you want to earn more Premier qualifying points and don’t value the two United Club one-time passes that highly, we recommend the United Quest Card. This card offers a $125 United purchase credit and 3 miles per dollar on United purchases, in addition to other perks.

Though the United Club Infinite Card has a high annual fee, it comes with premium perks that can make this card worthwhile for frequent United flyers.

“While I’m not the most die-hard United Club fan, I use this card to help earn PQPs to qualify for United status, which gives me perks like PlusPoints for international upgrades and Economy Plus seating. I also appreciate having instant, upper-tier IHG One Rewards status with no stay activity to retain my status. And if you don’t have United status, the card’s benefits that are usually reserved for the airline’s elite members, like free checked bags, priority boarding and priority services at the airport, all contribute to the card’s overall value proposition.” — Kyle Olsen, points and miles reporter

The United Quest Card has a lower annual fee and allows you to earn United Airlines miles. While it does not provide United Club access, it does offer priority boarding and the convenience of a first checked bag free on United Airlines itineraries.

This card is a solid option for those who are looking for travel-related perks that are not exclusive to United Airlines flights. This card offers a wide range of benefits and statement credits that you are likely to utilize, making it a worthwhile choice. For example, if your goal is to earn Amex Membership Rewards points while enjoying access to the Centurion Lounge at airports you frequently visit, the Amex Platinum card could be the perfect fit for you.

“Whilst this card has a high annual fee, it more than justifies itself for frequent travelers like me. The lounge access options that come with the Platinum are unrivaled by competitors. I put all of my flights — whether bought with cash or points — on this card to earn 5 points per dollar spent and trip protection insurance*. I make sure to take full advantage of the Uber, Saks Fifth Avenue, Hulu/Disney+ and Clear credits. And, honestly, pulling a Platinum card out of your wallet to pay for something does feel pretty fancy.” — Matt Moffitt, senior credit cards editor

*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

If you find that Centurion Lounges are not often available during your travels and you prefer not to maximize the value of the Amex Platinum’s various statement credits, the Chase Sapphire Reserve could be the perfect premium travel rewards card for you. This card will earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points instead of Amex Membership Rewards points. As well as offering a lower annual fee, the Sapphire Reserve offers cardholders a $300 annual travel credit that can be easily utilized; plus, you’ll earn a minimum of 3 points per dollar on all your travel purchases.

The United Quest Card is an excellent choice for folks who already fly United frequently but can still take advantage of benefits like a first and second checked bag free for you and a companion on the same reservation, priority boarding and a discount on inflight food, drink and Wi-Fi purchases.

 “For United flyers who aren’t concerned about accessing the United Club, the Quest provides the perfect benefits for a card with its annual fee. The $125 annual statement credit on United purchases is effectively cash back for United flyers.”—  Kyle Olsen, points and miles reporter

For an even lower annual fee, the United Explorer Card offers priority boarding and one complimentary checked bag for you and a companion on the same reservation. Plus, with the Explorer card, you’ll earn miles on everyday purchases.

This is a great starter card to earn United miles on everyday purchases to eventually redeem for an award flight.

“The Gateway card has no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees and lets you earn a modest number of United miles on your purchases. That’s a trifecta for beginners.” — Kyle Olsen, points and miles reporter

For a $95 annual fee ($0 intro annual fee for the first year), the United Explorer Card offers priority boarding and one complimentary checked bag for you and a companion on the same reservation. Plus, with the Explorer card, you’ll be able to earn more miles.

If you are a frequent traveler and want to earn redeemable reward points, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is a great option. Plus, with Chase’s transfer partners, you can maximize your Ultimate Rewards at a great value. Alternatively, cardholders of the Chase Sapphire Reserve can redeem points at a rate of 1.5 cents apiece when purchasing travel through the Chase Travel portal.

“I've had the Sapphire Reserve for years, and it's going to stay in my wallet for the near future. I get $300 off travel every year, along with great earning rates on travel and dining (3 points per dollar) and varied travel protections that can reimburse me when things go wrong. And by leveraging other cards in the Ultimate Rewards ecosystem, I'm able to maximize the earnings across all of my purchases.” — Nick Ewen, director of content

Though it has fewer perks, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers a lower annual fee, reliable travel protections, a minimum of 2 points per dollar on all travel purchases and the opportunity to accumulate valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

The card is particularly advantageous for business owners who frequently spend in the card’s bonus-earning categories. If you already have another Chase credit card that earns Ultimate Rewards points, you have the convenient option to combine your points, allowing you to maximize their value and take advantage of a wider range of redemption opportunities.

“I originally signed up for the Ink Business Preferred primarily for its sign-up bonus. But, over the last year, I've found myself making it my go-to card when booking travel. After all, the Ink Business Preferred earns 3 points per dollar spent on travel and provides excellent travel protections, including trip delay protection and rental car insurance.” — Katie Genter, senior writer

The Capital One Spark Miles for Business Card is worth considering if you prefer a credit card without the hassle of bonus categories. With this card, you can earn at least 2 miles per dollar spent on all purchases, and the $95 annual fee is waived for the first year (see rates and fees). While you still have the ability to transfer your miles to Capital One’s transfer partners, it’s important to note the welcome bonus is not as significant as that of the Ink Business Preferred.

Paying a substantial annual fee often comes with various accompanying perks. For individuals who frequently travel and have a business or side hustle, the Amex Business Platinum card is an invaluable asset. If you want access to numerous lounges worldwide, including the prestigious Amex Centurion lounges, a bonus on first- or business-class tickets purchased through Amex Travel (up to 500,000 points per calendar year), elite status with Marriott and Hilton and other exclusive benefits, certain business owners can easily justify the cost of the annual fee.

“I find that the annual perks and credits vastly outweigh the large annual fee. And that's even without using some of them. By using the benefits with Priority Pass and Amex lounges, the airline incidental credits, plus the statement credits for Clear, our cellphone plan and restocking my home printer with ink and paper from Dell, I get more value out of the card than it costs to keep it. Plus, it earns my favorite points — American Express Membership Rewards points — with 5 points per dollar on flights and hotels booked with Amex Travel.” — Ryan Smith, writer

The Ink Business Preferred Credit Card offers a significantly lower annual fee, as well as bonus points in several categories, such as travel-related purchases. This card provides excellent travel protection, including trip delay protection and rental car insurance. Unlike American Express Membership Rewards points, you can transfer Chase points to United MileagePlus.

This card is the ideal choice for individuals seeking a business card and who fly with United regularly without reaching elite status. It provides exclusive benefits tailored to the airline, such as complimentary checked bags, priority boarding, and a 25% discount on inflight Wi-Fi, food and beverages.

“This card allows business owners to earn United miles on business purchases with a nominal annual fee. If you manage to have at least seven United flight-related travel purchases each year, you’ll get a $100 statement credit, which effectively waives this card’s annual fee.” — Kyle Olsen, points and miles reporter

Though it’s not a business card, if you want more Premier qualifying points and United Airlines perks, it’s worth looking into the United Quest Card. This card offers a $125 United purchase credit and 3 miles per dollar on United purchases, in addition to other perks.